Employment
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment he has made of the match between jobseekers' skills and skills requirement for job vacancies for the North East of England. [95534]
Chris Grayling:
Jobcentre Plus is working closely with both colleges and other training providers in the North East to develop training that links to the skills
22 Feb 2012 : Column 861W
demands of the local labour market. By using labour marker intelligence, growth sectors have been identified enabling JCP to work with local training organisations to develop bespoke pathways that enable employers to fill their vacancies.
Sector-based work academies are being established in sectors with high volumes of current local vacancies. These offer pre-employment training, work experience and a guaranteed job interview, tailored to meet sector and local needs. As a locally-driven initiative the geographical distribution and number of sector-based work academies will depend on the appetite of employers, training providers and claimants across the Jobcentre Plus districts. Sectors covered so far have included construction, care, aviation security, retail and hospitality.
Employment and Support Allowance
Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken to process a claim for employment and support allowance is in Newcastle upon Tyne East constituency; and what comparative assessment he has made of this figure and those of neighbouring areas in the latest period for which figures are available. [95180]
Chris Grayling: The information requested for employment and support allowance (ESA) is not available at parliamentary constituency level and would incur a disproportionate cost to obtain the information requested.
Employment Schemes
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of fraud resulting from the time taken between the commencement of the Work programme and the readiness of its supporting IT system. [94491]
Chris Grayling: Due to the complexity of the changes required, full IT support for the Work programme payment process will not be available until the end of March 2012. It was therefore necessary to implement a payment process for the 'interim period' (for claims made between September 2011 and March 2012). During this period providers are being paid monthly based on reported outcome claims.
We judge that the risk of incurring any additional cost to the public purse as a result of fraud during this interim period is low. Providers have contractual obligation not to claim fraudulently and to make checks against errors. They are also contractually obliged to repay any overpayments.
All claims made between September 2011 and March 2012 will be subject to the full validation process and any payments that have been made for claims that fail the validation process will be recovered.
Employment Schemes: Young People
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of the financial value to charities and third sector organisations of the Youth Contract; [95429]
22 Feb 2012 : Column 862W
(2) how many placements under the Youth Contract he expects to be provided by charities; and if he will make a statement; [95431]
(3) what planning assumptions about the level of Youth Contract placements provided by charities his Department has made; and if he will make a statement. [95432]
Chris Grayling: The Youth Contract will, from April 2012, provide nearly 0.5 million new opportunities for young people over the next three years.
Charities and third sector organisations have an important role in the delivery of a number of the elements of the Youth Contract. For example, they will be able to receive a wage incentive for hiring eligible young people, offer apprenticeships which will benefit from more employer incentive payments and offer places to young jobseekers participating in the Work Experience programme. No estimate or planning assumptions have been made of the value to charities and third sector organisations of the Youth Contract or the number of young people who will benefit from opportunities with these organisations.
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the differences are between the Youth Contract and the Future Jobs Fund; and if he will make a statement. [95435]
Chris Grayling: The Future Jobs Fund was expensive and provided temporary, short term posts, mainly in the public and voluntary sectors. Nearly 50% of participants were claiming benefits eight months after starting funded employment.
The Youth Contract is a package of support aimed at helping young unemployed people prepare for work and find long-term sustainable employment. It will do this by providing a mix of additional Jobcentre Plus support; more work experience and sector based work academy places; wage incentives for employers who employ young people through the Work programme; extra incentive payments to encourage employers to take on young apprentices; and a new programme in England to help the most vulnerable 16 to 17-year-olds not in employment, education or training.
Employment: Young People
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the off-flow rate was for people aged 16 to 24 from benefit into work in each month since January 2011 for (a) those undertaking work experience and (b) those who did not. [94479]
Chris Grayling: The available statistics on work experience participants were published on 9 November 2011. These showed that 51% of those who started on the programme in January to March 2011 were not in receipt of benefit 13 weeks later.
Higher Education: Retirement
Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consideration he has given to providing guidance to university academics on the interpretation of the Employment Equality (Repeal of Retirement Age Provisions) Regulations 2011. [95747]
22 Feb 2012 : Column 863W
Steve Webb: It is wrong that people should be made to retire at an arbitrary age—that is why the Government have phased out the default retirement age. We believe that employers should assess the performance of their staff fairly, whatever an employee's age.
It is possible for employers to set a retirement age where they think this can be objectively justified. We have provided generic ACAS advice for employers which addresses this issue, but it is complex, and we would advise any employer considering retaining a compulsory retirement age to seek legal advice. Our supporting Age Positive Guidance highlights the experience of the many employers who report business benefits from managing their work force without fixed retirement ages. They are able to apply the same management procedures to all their workers and value the skills and experience that workers of all ages, including older workers can bring to the business.
We have worked with a range of sector lead organisations, including 11 education employer organisations—including the Universities and Colleges Employers Association and the HE Equality Challenge Unit—to support them in producing their own guidance and case studies in managing older worker performance and retirement without the need for compulsory retirement ages.
Housing Benefit
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the transfer of housing benefit staff from local authorities to his Department as part of implementation of universal credit. [94488]
Chris Grayling: Work is under way to design and deliver the IT and processes that will underpin universal credit, and part of the work includes looking at the design and structure of the organisation to deliver universal credit. It is too early at this stage of the programme to detail the exact resource requirements for universal credit.
Housing Benefit: Offenders
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the potential saving if ex-offenders were not exempted from the extension of the housing benefit shared accommodation rate to single housing benefit claimants aged under 35 in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16. [95683]
Steve Webb: This exemption is estimated to apply to up to 2,000 ex-offenders aged between 25 and 35. The saving in housing benefit expenditure if these claimants were not exempted is estimated at £5 million per year from 2012-13 onwards.
Housing Benefit: Temporary Accommodation
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of households in temporary accommodation that would be affected by the benefit cap if it were currently in force. [95143]
Chris Grayling: The information is not available.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 864W
The household benefit cap is not currently in force, and the Department has made no estimate of the number of capped households in temporary accommodation in the present financial year.
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of exempting all households in temporary accommodation from the benefit cap. [95144]
Chris Grayling: The Department has no plan to exempt households from the household benefit cap on grounds of being housed in temporary accommodation.
To exempt households in temporary accommodation would reduce the projected savings by around £30 million, when compared to the savings set out in the impact assessment published on 23 January. The figures in this impact assessment are of course subject to change ahead of the Welfare Reform Bill gaining Royal Assent.
International Pension Centre
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many staff are employed by the International Pension Centre (a) in the UK and (b) overseas; [95347]
(2) how many International Pension Service officers there were at UK embassies and high commissions in each of the last five years; [95355]
(3) what the operating costs were of the International Pension Centre (a) in the UK and (b) overseas in the latest period for which figures are available. [95353]
Steve Webb: International Pension Centre currently employs 641 staff in the UK.
International Pension Centre do not directly employ anybody overseas, but have access to 13 locally engaged pensions officers, employed through Foreign and Commonwealth Office, based at UK embassies and high commissions in the following countries:
| Country | Number of pensions officers |
International Pension Centre had access to pensions officers in each of the last five years as follows:
| Country | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| Note: Figures presented as at 31 December. | |||||
For 2010-11, the total operating costs of International Pension Centre were as follows:
22 Feb 2012 : Column 865W
| £ | |
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensions applications were processed by the International Pension Centre in each of the last five years. [95350]
Steve Webb: Please find in the following table the figures requested for IPC SP claims processed for the last five complete years:
| Number | |
Members: Correspondence
Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to answer the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton of 3 January 2012 with regard to Ms R Benson. [95397]
Chris Grayling: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions wrote to the right hon. Member on 11 February 2012. I apologise for the delay in replying.
National Insurance: Pensions
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the number of National Insurance-based pensions recipients based overseas was in the latest period for which figures are available. [95348]
Steve Webb: The number of contribution based state pension recipients living abroad is 1,173,440, as at May 2011.
Notes:
1. 'Abroad' is classified as not ordinarily resident in GB.
2. This caseload figure is rounded to the nearest 10.
3. This information is published on our website at:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool
Source:
DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study
New Deal Schemes
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects to conclude negotiations to finalise termination payments to flexible new deal providers. [94474]
Chris Grayling: Of the 14 providers which held flexible new deal phase 1 contracts, DWP has negotiated settlements agreed with 12 to date. DWP aims to complete remaining negotiations by April 2012.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 866W
Personal Independence Payment
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution by the Minister for Employment of 1 February 2012, Official Report, column 291WH, whether people undergoing assessment to determine their eligibility for the personal independence payment will have the right to have the session recorded by audio means. [95006]
Chris Grayling: As part of the Government’s response to the recommendations contained within Professor Harrington's first independent review of the work capability assessment (WCA), a pilot was conducted to test the concept of recording assessments to determine whether such an approach is helpful for claimants and improves the quality of assessments.
The evaluation of that pilot showed that less than half of people wanted their sessions recorded and only a tiny number sought a copy of their recording. This evaluation has been considered by the Department and Ministers have decided not to implement universal recording for claimants going through the WCA.
The Department has asked Atos Healthcare to accommodate requests for audio recording where possible, for the purposes of employment and support allowance, when a claimant makes a request in advance of their assessment. This approach began in late 2011 and we will monitor take up during 2012.
No decision has yet been taken on whether to record face-to-face consultations carried out for personal independence payment when it is introduced from 2013-14. We want to learn from the experiences of employment and support allowance to ensure that our processes are based on best practice. The Department is currently in the early stages of tendering for a framework of providers to deliver future health and disability assessments. A competition among framework providers for the PIP assessment will commence subsequently, with a view to having providers in place by summer 2012.
Social Security Benefits
Dr Whiteford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the number of bereavement benefit recipients based overseas was in the latest period for which figures are available. [95349]
Steve Webb: Under UK national legislation, these benefits are payable anywhere in the world; however claimants at the time of the claim need to be based in the United Kingdom (UK) or another European Union (EU) country, countries in the European economic area (EEA) or countries with which the UK has reciprocal social security agreements.
The National Statistics datasets contain information on the number of ongoing claims for bereavement allowance and widowed parent's allowance. This information is available on Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website through the Tabulation Tool:
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool
The total bereavement benefits caseload in the most recent period for which figures are available, May 2011, was 64,770; of this the number for claimants living abroad/unknown in the same period was 2,860.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 867W
Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid in benefits to people domiciled outside the UK in each of the last five years. [95684]
Chris Grayling: The information requested is in the following table:
| Benefit expenditure for people domiciled outside the UK, 2006 - 07 to 2010 - 11 | |||||
| £ million, nominal | |||||
| 2006/07 | 2007/08 | 2008/09 | 2009/10 | 2010/11 | |
| Notes: 1. Source: DWP statistical and accounting data. 2. Figures may not sum exactly due to rounding. 3. Figures may include a very small amount of expenditure where the claimant's residence is not known. 4. Benefit expenditure data, including overseas figures, can be found on the DWP website at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php?page=expenditure | |||||
Social Security Benefits: Disqualification
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit sanctions were (a) issued and (b) enforced in each month since April 2011. [94476]
Chris Grayling: Information on the number of benefit sanctions (a) issued and (b) enforced in each month since April 2011 for jobseeker's allowance (JSA), employment and support allowance (ESA), and income support (IS) is provided in the following tables.
The number of benefit sanctions issued has been interpreted to mean the total number of cases that have been referred to a decision maker for a sanction decision. Information relating to the number of such cases is only available for jobseeker's allowance.
The number of sanctions imposed has been interpreted to mean the number of those cases where an adverse decision has been given. This information is available for JSA, IS and ESA.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 868W
The following table shows the latest published information number of referrals made and the number of sanctions imposed by month since April 2011:
| Month | Number of referrals (fixed and variable) | Number of sanctions (fixed and variable) |
| Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest ten. Source: DWP Information Directorate: Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database | ||
Employment and support allowance (ESA)
The following table shows the latest published information of ESA WRAG sanctions by the month the sanction was imposed since April 2011:
| Month sanction was imposed | Number of sanctions |
| Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: DWP ESA WRAG sanctions database | |
The following table shows the latest published information on the number of IS lone parent sanctions by the month the sanction was imposed since April 2011:
| Month of sanction | Number of sanctions imposed |
| Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: DWP Income Support Lone Parent Regime database | |
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total monetary value was of benefits withheld under sanctions in each of the last 24 months. [94477]
Chris Grayling: The Department collects reliable information on how many sanctions have been imposed. However, to answer the question the Department also needs to be able to calculate the amount and duration of each individual sanction as well as hardship payments awarded following a sanction. Data on sanction amount, duration and hardship payments are of varying quality and it would be at disproportionate cost to develop a robust estimate.
Unemployment: Young People
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to (a) tackle unemployment among and (b) introduce mentoring schemes for young black people. [95070]
22 Feb 2012 : Column 869W
Chris Grayling: The Get Britain Working measures provide flexible, tailored support to all eligible unemployed job seekers according to their needs, irrespective of ethnicity.
On 25 November, we announced plans to introduce a new Youth Contract in 2012 which includes a range of additional help for unemployed young people. This builds on the support already available through Jobcentre Plus and the Work programme. The Youth Contract will incorporate wage incentives for employers who recruit an 18 to 24-year-old from the Work programme; work experience or sector-based work academy places for every 18 to 24 -ear-old who wants one, before they enter the Work programme; incentive payments for employers to take on young people as apprentices; and extra support through Jobcentre Plus for all 18 to 24-year-olds, providing extra advisor time to provide more back to work support.
For unemployed people aged 18 and over who want to start their own business we have introduced the new enterprise allowance (NEA). It is available to people who have been claiming jobseeker's allowance (JSA) for six months or more, before they are required to enter the Work programme, and includes access to business mentoring during the development of their business idea and through the early months of trading.
Jobcentre Plus advisers can also signpost customers to other sources of advice and support on starting a business, such as the online support available through the ‘My New Business’ page of the Business Link website or access to business mentors through the MentorsMe website.
Universal Credit: Mortgages
Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of households in receipt of support for mortgage interest or its equivalent under universal credit who would be affected by the benefit cap. [95145]
Chris Grayling: The information is not available.
Work Capability Assessments: Audio Recordings
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution by the Minister for Employment of 1 February 2012, Official Report, column 291WH, whether people undertaking a work capability assessment in their home will have the right to an audio recording of the session. [95005]
Chris Grayling: Audio recording of a work capability assessment is currently only available in an Atos assessment centre.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution by the Minister of State in his Department of 1 February 2012, Official Report, columns 291-2WH, (1) whether he plans to update (a) his Department's website, (b) relevant parts of the DirectGov website, (c) the ESA 50 questionnaire and (d) other literature issued by his Department to advise people undergoing work capability assessments of their right to an audio recording of their session; [94560]
22 Feb 2012 : Column 870W
(2) what consideration he has given to advising people undergoing a work capability assessment in writing in advance of their session of their right to an audio recording of that session; [94563]
(3) what steps he plans to take to ensure that every person undergoing a work capability assessment is made aware in advance of their right to an audio recording of their session. [94583]
Chris Grayling: As the 1 February 2012, Official Report, columns 291-2WH states, we have not implemented universal recording for claimants going through the work capability assessment. We trialled an approach of offering audio recording to claimants (as recommended by Professor Harrington) but found that less than half of people wanted their sessions recorded and only a tiny number sought a copy of their recording. As a result, we have asked Atos Healthcare to try and accommodate requests for audio recording where a claimant makes a request in advance of their assessment. This approach began in late 2011 and we will monitor take up during 2012.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the contribution by the Minister of State in his Department of 1 February 2012, Official Report, columns 291-2WH, in what format people whose work capability assessment is audio-recorded will receive a copy of that recording. [94561]
Chris Grayling: On completion of the work capability assessment being audio-recorded, the claimant will be given the audio recording of their assessment on a CD in a protective sleeve.
Work Experience
Mr Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people came off benefits and entered into work as a result of the work experience programme in each month since January 2011. [94478]
Chris Grayling: Between January 2011 and the end of November 2011 (the latest date for which figures are available) 34,200 claimants undertook a work experience placement. Analysis published on 9 November 2011 showed that 51% of those who started on the programme in January to March 2011 were not in receipt of benefit 13 weeks later.
Work Programme
Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the recommendation by Liz Sayce in her report entitled, Getting in, staying in and getting on, submitted to his Department in June 2011, that its monitoring of the Work programme should include publication of key performance information, in deciding a breakdown by impairment type, qualification level and length of time out of work; and if he will make a statement. [95465]
Chris Grayling: Official statistics on referrals and attachments to the Work programme will be published from 21 February and quarterly thereafter.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 871W
These statistics will include a summary of the primary health condition of employment and support allowance and incapacity benefit participants. Causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10(th) Revision, published by the World Health Organisation. Medical condition is based on evidence provided and this in itself does not confer entitlement to employment support allowance/incapacity benefit.
Statistics will also include the number of participants on ail benefits that have a recorded disability as part of the official statistics release. Disability is self-assessed as having a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities.
Official statistics on job outcomes and sustainment payments will be published from autumn 2012. The exact details of what will be published on job outcomes in the autumn has still to be finalised. However it is likely that these statistics will also contain breakdowns by health condition and disability indicator.
The evaluation of the Work programme will begin reporting from 2012, with qualitative feedback on participants' experiences of provision becoming available in the summer. The evaluation will explore the outcomes and experiences of different claimants, including those with health conditions or disabilities. Very early indications of the impact of the programme on claimant outcomes will become available by late 2013/early 2014.
The evaluation design is ongoing, and the Sayce Review recommendations are being considered as part of this.
Work Programme: New Enterprise Allowance
Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has any plans to change his policy that users of the Work programme are unable to transfer to the new enterprise allowance. [95759]
Chris Grayling: There are no plans to make the new enterprise allowance available to people on the Work programme. We believe that Work programme providers are best placed to design back to work support and have allowed them the freedom to do so. This includes providing support and advice on self employment.
Transport
Bus Services
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department issues guidance to local authorities on consulting bus companies prior to the relocation of bus stops. [95794]
Norman Baker: Decisions on placement of bus stops are a matter for the local highway authority. The Department provides general guidance on bus stop provision in Local Transport Note 1/97: Keeping Buses Moving. This advises that consultation on siting of bus stops should take place between bus operators, traffic authorities and the police, together with frontagers and bus user groups where appropriate.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 872W
Keeping Buses Moving is available on the Department for Transport website at:
http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/local-transport-notes/ltn-1-97.pdf
Bus Services: Concessions
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if she will estimate the likely annual cost to the Exchequer of introducing universal free concessionary bus travel for all (a) 16 to 25, (b) 16 to 23 and (c) 16 to 21 year olds in England; [95385]
(2) if she will estimate the likely annual cost to the Exchequer of introducing universal free concessionary bus travel for all 16 to 21 year olds living in rural local authority areas; [95386]
(3) if she will estimate the likely annual cost to the Exchequer of introducing universal free concessionary bus travel for all 16 to 25 year olds who do not live in a metropolitan or Greater London authority area and are (a) in full or part-time education, (b) undertaking a registered apprenticeship and (c) in receipt of work-related benefits; [95387]
(4) if she will estimate the likely annual cost to the Exchequer of introducing universal free concessionary bus travel for all 16 to 25 year olds who do not live in a metropolitan or Greater London authority area. [95388]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport commissioned research in 2008 on the cost and impact of options for extending the current statutory minimum bus travel concession. Based on this research, the Department estimated that it would cost around an extra £740 million per annum, at 2008 rates, to extend the statutory minimum concession to enable 14 to 19-year-olds in full-time education to travel free at any time on buses England-wide.
The Department does not have any estimates for the age ranges specified or for particular areas within England. There is no breakdown available by those undertaking part-time education, a registered apprenticeship or those in receipt of work-related benefits.
The research is published and a link is available from the Department's website at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/public-transport/buses/concessionary-bus-travel/citizens/
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will estimate the likely annual cost to the Exchequer of introducing universal free concessionary bus travel for all 16 to 25-year-olds throughout the UK with the exception of (a) the Greater London Authority (GLA), (b) the GLA and all metropolitan and city council authorities and (c) all non-rural local authorities. [96235]
Norman Baker: There is no estimate of the cost of extending the statutory concession to 16 to 25-year-olds. However, research commissioned in 2008 on the cost and impact of options for extending the current statutory minimum bus travel concession indicated it would cost around an extra £740 million per annum at 2008 prices to extend it to enable 14 to 19-year-olds in full-time education to travel free at any time on buses England-wide.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 873W
Concessionary travel is a devolved matter but the research also considered the cost of extending the England-wide statutory concession across the borders into Scotland and Wales.
The Department does not have any estimates for particular areas within England. The research is published and a link is available from the Department's website at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/topics/public-transport/buses/concessionary-bus-travel/citizens/
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will estimate the likely annual income to the Exchequer of introducing a universal free concessionary bus travel pass for 16 to 25 year olds which could be purchased for (a) £5.00, (b) £10.00, (c) £15.00, (d) £20.00, (e) £25.00, (f) £30.00, (g) £35.00 and (h) £40.00. [96239]
Norman Baker: The Department has no current proposals to introduce a universal free bus travel concession for 16 to 25-year-olds.
The Department has not made an estimate of the possible annual income to the Exchequer from the sale of bus travel passes to young people. This would not be a straightforward matter as uptake and how it is affected by the price of a travel pass are unknown.
Disney Wonder Cruise Ship
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether (a) her Department or (b) its agencies have been supplied with records of the Automatic Identification System transmissions for the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship on 22 March 2011. [95537]
Mike Penning: No. The Bahamian authorities have conducted the investigation into Rebecca Coriam's disappearance from this ship on this date; consequently the UK has not obtained these data.
Motor Vehicles
Mr Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she has any plans to bring forward legislative proposals in respect of (a) companies and (b) equipment involved in the reduction of the recorded mileage of motor vehicles. [95715]
Mike Penning: The Department has recently announced the Government's intention to work with industry and motoring organisations to improve the motorist's confidence and experience when they have to take their vehicles to a garage. The garage sector is already regulated. It has to comply with business laws and consumer protection legislation.
Over the next six months the Department will help motorists to spot clocked vehicles by arranging for MOT test certificates to show mileage information for the last three years, and encouraging car buyers to check the full MOT history of vehicles by accessing online the authoritative MOT database.
Motor Vehicles: Registration
Mr Knight:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicles were registered in the road tax band (a) A, (b) B, (c) C, (d) D, (e) E, (f) F, (g) G, (h) H,
22 Feb 2012 : Column 874W
(i)
I,
(j)
J,
(k)
K,
(l)
L and
(m)
M in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many vehicles were registered as historic. [95109]
Mike Penning: The graduated vehicle excise duty (VED) bands, based on CO2 emissions, only apply to cars that have been registered for the first time since March 2001. Cars first registered prior to this date, and vehicles other than cars, are taxed in VED classes that do not relate to CO2 emissions.
At the end of September 2011, the number of cars licensed in each of the CO2 emission bands in Great Britain was as follows:
| Number | ||
| (1 )Band K includes all cars that have a CO2 emission figure over 225 g/km registered before 23 March 2006. | ||
The number of cars licensed at the end of September 2011 that were first registered before March 2001 was 6,385,373. These are not counted in the above table.
Vehicles first registered before 1973 are classed as historic and are not required to pay VED unless they are used for commercial purposes. At the end of September 2011, 162,734 cars and 152,836 other vehicles were licensed and were in the “Exempt—historic” VED class.
Network Rail: Public Relations
John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been spent by Network Rail on public relations work (a) supplied by external agencies and (b) conducted in-house in each of the last three years. [95475]
Mrs Villiers: These questions should be addressed to Network Rail, which is an independent private sector company.
Roads: Accidents
Lilian Greenwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department is taking to assist local authorities to set meaningful local targets for road safety. [94888]
Mike Penning
[holding answer 20 February 2012]:The Strategic Framework for Road Safety, published on 11 May 2011, sets out our vision for road safety in Great Britain and the measures and actions that we will take to achieve this. It aims to provide clarity to local authorities on their roles and responsibilities in road safety and the increased freedom to assess and act on
22 Feb 2012 : Column 875W
their own priorities. As part of this we have provided the Road Safety Outcomes Framework to monitor progress in reducing casualties as well as how we are reducing the risk for different road user groups.
Local authorities are free to set their own targets if they find this useful. Ultimately, it is for citizens to judge if both local and central Government are successful in reducing deaths and injuries on British roads. To support this, we will be introducing an online comparison tool that would allow local people, lobby groups, practitioners, and LA officers to compare local performance information in their area against other areas, while comparing improvement rates. This will increase transparency and build a capability to help people solve problems in their areas.
Roads: Lighting
Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans she has to revise guidance on the minimum amount of lighting required on A roads. [95869]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport endorses Well-Lit Highways, the Code of Practice on highway lighting management published by the UK Lighting Board. This is updated periodically and is available at the following weblink:
http://www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org/lighting/well_lit.htm
The code provides a link to further guidance for local highway authorities to consider prior to deciding whether to introduce dimming, reduce operating hours or switch off lights for part of the night.
The Highways Agency has plans to reduce the level of lighting on A roads when traffic levels are significantly below road capacity. Research, including assessment installations will take place in the next financial year. The agency has no plans to reduce the level of lighting on A roads during the peak periods that occur during the hours of darkness or to temporarily switch A road lighting off when traffic flows are low. The level of light reduction will be based upon internationally agreed standards and made in consultation with the UK's Institution of Lighting Professionals.
It is right that lighting authorities consider, in the interests of cost-saving and the environment, whether lighting can be sensibly dimmed or turned off, consistent with proper safety assessments.
Shipping: Crime
Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department has made representations to the Legal Committee of the International Maritime Organisation proposing the development of guidelines on the (a) collation and preservation of evidence following the allegation of a serious crime taking place on board a ship or following a report of a missing person from a ship and (b) pastoral and medical care of victims in such circumstances. [95408]
Mike Penning: Guidelines for both of these matters were submitted to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on 6 February 2012. These will be considered at the IMO legal committee in April 2012.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 876W
Shipping: Treaties
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions she has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) officials in her Department on International Labour Organisation Convention 185 on seafarers' identity documents; what recent steps she has taken toward ratifying this convention; and when she expects the UK to ratify this convention. [R] [95494]
Mike Penning: There have been no recent discussions with ministerial colleagues on International Labour Organisation Convention 185 (ILO 185) on seafarers' identity documents; however discussions are continuing between Department for Transport officials and officials in the UK Border Agency and Identity and Passport Service.
The UK Government are concerned that the ILO 185, whose purpose is to facilitate the international movement of seafarers, does not meet International Civil Aviation Organisation standards for biometric data held on identity documents. The ILO 185 standards are incompatible with any existing standard used within the UK for identification documents. The costs, which would either have to be met by the seafarer or the taxpayer, of procuring new equipment to produce and read a relatively small number of documents would be prohibitive.
Discussions are taking place at international level to address the technical issues and I await a satisfactory resolution before discussing ratification of the convention with ministerial colleagues.
John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent steps she has taken toward ratifying the Maritime Labour Convention 2006; and if she will make a statement. [R] [95495]
Mike Penning: The UK is already largely compliant with the requirements of the convention. Discussions are ongoing, including with the trade unions and the shipping industry, over those areas that require amendments to current legislation to ensure full compliance.
In line with our policy of ensuring that all possible non-regulatory approaches have been explored and that there is a robust argument for the Government to legislate, full impact assessments are being prepared setting out the arguments for legislative and non-legislative approaches. We are near to concluding impact assessments and, subject to satisfactory independent review by the Reducing Regulation Committee, expect to open a public consultation in the spring.
Traffic Lights
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of speed sensitive traffic lights; and if she will make a statement. [95905]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has not carried out any specific assessment of the effectiveness of speed sensitive traffic lights.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 877W
Traffic Orders: Local Press
Mark Menzies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations her Department has received from local newspapers on the potential effect of her plan to remove the requirement for local authorities to advertise traffic orders in such newspapers; and if she will make a statement. [95456]
Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has received approximately 30 representations from local newspapers, or from MPs on their behalf, on this matter.
Following a pledge in our recent traffic signs policy review document ‘Signing the Way’, a consultation on amending requirements placed on traffic authorities when they propose and make temporary and permanent traffic orders was launched on 30 January 2012. Further information may be found on the Department for Transport website at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-06/
The Department understands the concerns which have been expressed about the possible effect on the viability of local newspapers this change may have, and those concerns will be taken into account before a final decision is taken.
Business, Innovation and Skills
Apprentices: Females
Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what estimate he has made of (a) the number of women who take up apprenticeships in sectors in which women are less than one third of employees and (b) the number of men who take up apprenticeships in sectors in which men are less than one third of employees; [94773]
(2) what assessment he has made of the extent of gender segregation within apprenticeship schemes; and what steps his Department has taken to address this. [94774]
Mr Hayes: I have made data available in the Libraries of the House showing Apprenticeship Programme Starts by Gender and Framework in England, in the 2010/11 academic year.
Table 1 following shows the number of Apprenticeship Programme Starts by Gender and Sector Subject Area in England, in the 2010/11 academic year. Sector subject areas do not correspond directly with Standard Industrial Classifications. Based on the latest Office for National Statistics employee jobs data (a) women make up less than one third of employees in Construction and Manufacturing, and (b) men make up less than one third of employees in education, and human health and social work activities.
| Table 1: Apprenticeship starts by gender and sector subject area, 2010/11 | ||||||
| Female | Male | Total | ||||
| Sector subject area | Starts | % | Starts | % | Starts | % |
22 Feb 2012 : Column 878W
| ‘*’ Indicates a base value of less than 5 or a percentage revealing a base value of less than 5. Notes: 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Total figures may not sum due to rounding. 2. Percentages are calculated based on unrounded figures. 4. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the learner. Source: Individualised Learner Record | ||||||
Information on the number of apprenticeship starts is published in a quarterly Statistical First Release (SFR). The latest SFR was published on 31 January 2012:
http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current/
Although overall numbers of male and female apprentices are fairly well balanced, this is not the case within some specific sectors and apprenticeships.
The problem of gender segregation within apprenticeships was identified in a number of reports including the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills/Department for Children, Schools and Families (DIUS/DCSF) publication: World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All (2008). As a result, the National Apprenticeship Service set out a clear aim to tackle the problem. The service is currently running a number of pilots with the specific aim of increasing diversity in the background of people applying for apprenticeships.
One of the issues the pilots are focusing on is gender stereotyping; this can affect the choices young people make and the way they are treated within the workplace. The pilots are trialling a number of activities aimed at reducing gender stereotyping within apprenticeships; pilots are looking at changing the views or behaviours of potential apprentices, those who influence them and employers.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 879W
I have received regular updates on the progress of the diversity pilots and will consider the recommendations from its final report due next month.
BIS will work closely with all our partners to encourage young men to consider what until now, have been typically female apprenticeships and young women to consider typically male apprenticeships. But that is not enough, so we will also work with employers to ensure that any apprentice who does decide to take up the opportunity is accepted and made welcome within the workplace.
Business
Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which schemes implemented by his Department since May 2010 differentiate between small and medium-sized enterprises and large companies; and if he will make a statement. [94775]
Mr Prisk: Schemes implemented by this Department since May 2010 include:
The range of the Government's interventions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) reflects their critical importance to the UK economy. The Government do however recognise that SMEs are an incredibly diverse population. SMEs and large companies require the Government to act to ensure that the UK is an easy place to do business.
Business: Regulation
Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Red Tape Challenge in reducing regulation in local government procurement. [94788]
22 Feb 2012 : Column 880W
Mr Prisk: The Red Tape Challenge has not looked directly at this. Local authorities are responsible for their own procurement decisions, although many choose to follow central Government policies. The Government are engaging in the renegotiation of the EU procurement directives with the intention to make it easier for businesses, free up public procurement markets and enable a light touch, modern regulatory framework.
The Government are also implementing a wide range of reforms to central Government procurement practices which will yield substantial savings to both the public sector and business.
Ministerial Air Travel
Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on what occasions he has taken flights within the UK on official business since August 2010; what class of travel he used; and who accompanied him on each such flight. [94796]
Norman Lamb: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has taken flights within the UK on the following occasions:
All bookings were economy class though his flight from Belfast to Birmingham was upgraded by the airline.
Section 10 of the Ministerial Code provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.
Recruitment
Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent on (a) recruitment services and (b) executive search agencies in each month since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [93566]
Norman Lamb: Without incurring disproportionate cost it is not possible to separately identify the amount spent on (a) recruitment services and (b) executive search agencies but the combined spend on these two items, per month since May 2010 is given in the following table.
| Spend (£) | |
22 Feb 2012 : Column 881W
Forth Bridge
Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions have taken place between UK Trade and Investment and the Shanghai-based company, Zhenhua Heavy Industries, on the awarding of steel contracts for the Forth Replacement Crossing bridge project. [95539]
Mr Prisk: There have been no discussions between UKTI and Zhenhua Heavy Industries on the awarding of steel contracts for the Forth Replacement Crossing bridge project.
Higher Education: Student Numbers
Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills which higher education institutions he expects to see a decrease in student places as a result of the implementation of the contestable margin of student places. [94718]
Mr Willetts: Institutions that did not receive any contestable margin places will lose some student places, but they will have the opportunity to possibly regain these places and potentially more, through the competition for AAB grade students. Until the admissions process is complete we will not know which institutions will see a decrease in student places. Assuming that institutions have the student demand, they will be able to recruit as many AAB grade students as they choose.
Overseas Trade
Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on export of equipment which cannot be used legally in the receiving country; and if he will make a statement. [95797]
Mr Prisk: The Export Control Organisation within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills administers the UK's strategic export licensing system, which relates to controls on the export from the UK of specified military and dual-use goods.
22 Feb 2012 : Column 882W
All export licence applications are considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria taking into account all relevant factors, including the prevailing circumstances in the recipient country and the credibility of the stated end-use. A licence would not be issued if to do so was inconsistent with any of the criteria.
Public Houses
Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if the Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs will consider the merits of accepting the recommendations of the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee on pub company self-regulation made in its report on Pub Companies, HC 1369 Session. [94948]
Norman Lamb: The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee reported on Tied Public Houses on 20 September. The report was highly critical of the industry. The Government responded on 24 November. They have not legislated, as the Committee wished, but have instead implemented a fast, tough and legally binding form of self-regulation. This has met with some support, including from family brewers and business organisations, but also heavy criticism from some MPs and lobby groups who wanted the Government to legislate. In January, a Backbench Business Committee debate approved a motion for the Government to set up an independent panel to review the situation.
The Government's decision not to legislate relied heavily on the fact that the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) had found in October 2010 that no competition issues affecting consumers existed in the pub market. There was no good evidence that the ‘beer tie'—a principal target of campaigners—was causing pubs to close or harming consumer choice. Finally, self-regulation could be introduced much more quickly than any statutory solution.
Any review would simply be used as a vehicle to oppose the Government's solution—the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee and others have made it very clear that they are implacably opposed to self-regulation and would only be satisfied by legislation. The Government have now committed sufficiently far to the self-regulatory approach that to back-track would prove difficult.
UK Trade & Investment: Trade Shows
Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review on UK Trade & Investment's ability to conduct face-to-face meetings with trade advisers at trade shows in overseas markets. [91236]
Mr Prisk: UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has reviewed its overseas trade show programme and will provide broader support packages for groups of UK participants. Commercial staff will continue to attend major fairs, where they advise businesses on UKTI services and opportunities in specific markets. Funds accruing to UKTI from the autumn statement of 29 November 2011, Official Report, columns 799-810, will be used to enhance a range of export activity, including trade fairs.